IN ADVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, NYC & COMPANY PUTS A GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT ON HARLEM AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD

IN ADVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, NYC & COMPANY PUTS A GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT ON HARLEM AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD

—Harlem Locals Share Their Favorite Things to See and Do in a Documentary Spotlighting the Upper Manhattan Neighborhood—

New York City (January 7, 2015) — NYC & Company today announced Harlem as the first spotlight of the New Year in its Neighborhood x Neighborhood program. Harlem, an ever-evolving and vibrant neighborhood home of world-renowned restaurants, historic cultural institutions and unparalleled music venues and theaters, is a must-see for first-time or repeat visitors.

As the latest focus of Neighborhood x Neighborhood, NYC & Company will promote Harlem, a globally recognized mecca for African-American culture, as New York City prepares for Black History Month celebrations in February.

"We are pleased to continue Neighborhood x Neighborhood in 2015 and share insider guides to NYC’s neighborhoods. For nearly two years, the campaign has helped increase awareness of and encourage exploration in dozens of neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs," said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Visitors want to experience the City like a local, and they now think beyond the typical attractions and sites when they plan their visits to New York City.”

“Harlem is bursting with culture, history and amazing cuisine,” said Marty Markowitz, NYC & Company’s vice president of borough promotion and engagement. “We encourage visitors and New Yorkers to experience the unparalleled liveliness and excitement of Harlem not only this month, but again for Black History Month, and throughout the rest of the year. Whether it is their first or tenth time in the neighborhood, visitors can find something new and vibrant with each trip.”

Experience Harlem Like a Local

Easily accessible by the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C and D subway lines, Harlem is a must-visit destination in NYC. As part of the campaign, Harlem is highlighted in a documentary featuring six locals who share an insider’s guide to Harlem with a focus on shops, restaurants, attractions and history that make Harlem distinct. The documentary and the following places, venues and more are recommended by neighborhood insiders and featured on nycgo.com/nxn.

• 
  Cultural attractions:

  Apollo Theater

  is the legendary venue known for the famed Amateur Nights in addition to concerts and community outreach programs;

  Harlem Stage

  is a leading arts organization home to a steady stream of programming including theater, dance and a wide range of musical styles;

  Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

  ’s collection has grown to include more than 5 million items reflecting the experiences of people of African descent; and

  The Studio Museum

  ’s collection is dedicated to artwork revolving around black culture.

• 
  Restaurants:

  The Cecil

  is New York City’s first Afro-Asian-American brasserie;

  Lido

  is a beloved neighborhood restaurant specializing in classic Northern Italian cuisine;

  Minton’s

  celebrates its past as a jazz supper club serving Low Country cuisine and features live jazz music;

  Red Rooster

  pays homage to Harlem’s past and focuses on American comfort food;

  Sylvia’s Restaurant

  is a world-famous soul food restaurant founded in 1962; and

  Vinateria

  is a recently opened Harlem restaurant specializing in seasonal cuisine with influences from Italy and Spain.

• 
  Parks: Bordering Harlem, the northern section of

  Central Park

  is home to the Harlem Meer and the West 110th Street Playground; with more than 30-acres of parkland,

  Morningside Park

  is located from West 110

  th

  to West 123

  rd

  Streets between Manhattan Avenue, Morningside Avenue and Morningside Drive; and

  Riverside Park

  is a spectacular waterside park along the Hudson River.

Visitors can experience more of Harlem by spending the night at the Aloft Harlem. The hotel, opened in 2010, offers guests modern style in historic Harlem and amenities in the more than 120 loft-inspired guest rooms include luxurious beds, free WiFi and LCD TVs. Guests and visitors can also enjoy the hotel’s W XYZ Bar, a lounge complete with a pool table, bar and snack menu, and live music. 

To read the monthly Neighborhood x Neighborhood press releases and to view B-roll and photos of neighborhood highlights in the media library, visit nycgo.com/press. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.

Neighborhood x Neighborhood: The Essential Guide to NYC
New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Launched in March 2013, the Neighborhood x Neighborhood initiative spotlights the affordability and accessibility of these diverse communities, including areas that have seen new hotel development in recent years. The program has focused on the diversity of offerings in neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island; encouraged exploration in areas beyond traditional tourist locations; and increased awareness globally of the featured neighborhoods.

About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.

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Contact: NYC & Company / Chris Heywood 212-484-1270
              NYC & Company / Caroline Peck 212-484-1270